​I’ll admit that Trent McDuffie and Jalen Watson have to stay healthy for the title of this Random Ramsdom to even have a chance at accuracy as we head into the regular season. That said, the Los Angeles Rams currently boast a solid cornerback room. It’s improved from last year and may be the best collection of cornerbacks the team has had in several seasons. As long as the defense stays healthy, they should remain dependable and capable.
Some voices argue that McDuffie isn’t a top-10 corner, but rankings like that are inevitably debatable. What’s clear is that a broad swath of NFL observers view McDuffie as a strong addition for the Rams, and the same goes for Watson. Myles Garrett also looks like a valuable acquisition. Week 1 will reveal more, but right now this Rams defense appears formidable, and I’m not swayed by outside lists or opinions. For now, I’m sticking with it.
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In the latest buzz, McDuffie ranked fifth in a poll of unnamed NFL personnel, including executives, coaches, and scouts, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on July 7. He was unranked at his lowest and peaked at third in this year’s voting, finishing one spot behind his 2025 placement. Fowler also noted that some still view McDuffie more as a slot corner, which could have affected his ranking.
If McDuffie and Watson had remained with the Chiefs, they might have been left off the top five, but now they’re in Los Angeles alongside the league’s most disruptive defender, Myles Garrett. The Rams’ new cornerback duo will have plenty of chances to make game-changing plays behind a ferocious front that includes edge rusher Byron Young. Of course, McDuffie and Watson can hold their own even if there’s a rare off day for the pass rushers.
From ESPN’s poll: “5. Trent McDuffie, Los Angeles Rams. Highest ranking: 3 | Lowest ranking: Unranked.” Fowler notes that McDuffie is considered a top-five cornerback for the second consecutive year. While there was some debate about the Rams’ decision to invest a first-round pick along with a third, fifth, and sixth-round selections to acquire the former Chiefs star, the move appears to be the right call. At 25 years old, McDuffie isn’t just a roster mainstay; he signed a long-term deal to remain in Los Angeles for the foreseeable future and should play a significant role in lifting the Rams’ defense in the seasons ahead.